Central location too, if you think of Seattle, Bellevue and Tacoma(and all south end) as a triangle. Center of it all.13 miles from downtown Seattle, about 13 miles from Bellevue, and 22 miles to Tacoma.

Long you live and high you fly, and smiles you’ll give and tears you’ll cry, and all you touch and all you see Is all your life will ever be

twisted_steel2 wrote:Central location too, if you think of Seattle, Bellevue and Tacoma(and all south end) as a triangle. Center of it all.13 miles from downtown Seattle, about 13 miles from Bellevue, and 22 miles to Tacoma.

Yep, the only downside to Tukwila is does it mean it'll be harder for Hansen to get his arena built if there's no hockey tenant..........or at least the attractiveness of a future hockey tenant?

I personally believe Vegas will get one, and the other will be between Seattle and Quebec City. Seattle's advantage is that the NHL would prefer to expand in the west because of the unbalanced conferences, while Quebec City's advantage is that they already have an NHL ready arena nearing completion.

I don't think the arena situation between the two cities is that big a deal.

An arena that is already built, versus an arena that will be built by the time the expansion team plays its first game. Last I heard the Tukwila arena is scheduled to be completed by 2017, expansion team wouldnt start until the 2017 season.....

As long as the NHL is satisfied and confident the arena here in Tukwila will be completed on time, we should be on equal standing in that regard.

PS At this point I dont think the Sodo arena, with Hansen and or Coleman is even in the running. The red tape of contracts between the two, and trying to get the MOU changed with Seattle, that's gonna take years. This all has to be done in weeks.

Long you live and high you fly, and smiles you’ll give and tears you’ll cry, and all you touch and all you see Is all your life will ever be

twisted_steel2 wrote:As long as the NHL is satisfied and confident the arena here in Tukwila will be completed on time, we should be on equal standing in that regard.

Don't forget though that this is only one of many factors the NHL will be vetting. They also have to look over the arena plans, location logistics and most importantly don't forget that Tukwila is in King County...........so if Dow Constantine and the other King County council members show strong resistance to the Tukwila site because they're already heavily invested in the SoDo arena project, that could prove troublesome for the NHL if they choose Tukwila.

I don't care, I just want hockey. But I also don't want hockey in Tukwila if that means the death of getting our Sonics back, which is a very real possiblity if the NHL goes to Tukwila.

twisted_steel2 wrote:The King County council thing is interesting, hadn't thought of that potential road block.

Let's say they do prefer Sodo... wonder how much influence they really have as its a privately funded arena? If public money is involved, sure they're all involved and talking it to death for years.

But a private investor spending his own $$ on his own land? In combination with the city fast tracking it?

I'd like to think the councils would cooperate with whichever site is chosen by the NHL, especially if the Tukwila site is 100% privately funded. But I'm not naive, all I've ever known politicians to do is what's best for them, not what's best for us.

So it wouldn't surprise me in the least if a number of King County council members start throwing up roadblocks on the Tukwila site.

twisted_steel2 wrote:The King County council thing is interesting, hadn't thought of that potential road block.

Let's say they do prefer Sodo... wonder how much influence they really have as its a privately funded arena? If public money is involved, sure they're all involved and talking it to death for years.

But a private investor spending his own $$ on his own land? In combination with the city fast tracking it?

Maybe a dumb question but is there any city that has separate but modern hockey and basketball arenas? (I don't really follow either sport but would probably watch a Seattle NHL team). Tukwila looks to be way ahead in the planning with less red tape (along with the resistance from the port and the Mariners in the downtown arena). Would a Tukwila stadium be designed to host NBA as well?

If so and the arena gets built, I think the downtown arena is dead as a dodo. Why pay for an NBA stadium when Tukwila could both?

I preferred any hockey/basketball arena to be beside the other stadiums as it would be one bus ride till I realized that Tukwila is right beside the light rail.

Would hate any Bellevue arena.

Also...why does Portland not have an NHL team? Isn't the Moda Center state of the art? Would be an instant rivalry with Vancouver and i'm sure it would be supported.

I imagine any concerts that Key Arena host would be there and that the Storm etc would play there in the off season as it's more modern. Even if the Storm didn't, could Key Arena survive with only the Storm and Seattle U (if they stayed) as tenants without concert revenue?

Glasgow Seahawk wrote:Also...why does Portland not have an NHL team? Isn't the Moda Center state of the art? Would be an instant rivalry with Vancouver and i'm sure it would be supported.

The Moda Center is owned by Paul Allen's group and is built to NHL spec's, his front office has many ex NHL execs now working for him. (this changed about 3 years ago I believe) I believe he is open to the idea, but paying 500 million for a "franchise fee" is just dumb, I believe his group is waiting to swoop in and buy a team on the cheap (coyotes or panthers)

why pay 500 million for a franchise fee when you could buy the Coyotes whom according to Forbes have a value of about 150 million?

twisted_steel2 wrote:As long as the NHL is satisfied and confident the arena here in Tukwila will be completed on time, we should be on equal standing in that regard.

Don't forget though that this is only one of many factors the NHL will be vetting. They also have to look over the arena plans, location logistics and most importantly don't forget that Tukwila is in King County...........so if Dow Constantine and the other King County council members show strong resistance to the Tukwila site because they're already heavily invested in the SoDo arena project, that could prove troublesome for the NHL if they choose Tukwila.

I don't care, I just want hockey. But I also don't want hockey in Tukwila if that means the death of getting our Sonics back, which is a very real possiblity if the NHL goes to Tukwila.

I want the NHL, and the NBA can <censored as this isn't a shacked forum>!!!!!Being a northender I'd prefer it not be Tukwila as I'd have to drive thru Seattle to get there, but if it means we get a NHL team then so be it.

Sports Hernia wrote:GIVE ME A NHL TEAM IN SEATTLE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nothing new, just had to have a little outburst....

Take it for what it's worth...... but Seth Everett (who was filling in for Softy) spoke to a NHL insider that said Seattle's odds were really really good if they submit a bid, and regardless of what happens next week, it's not a matter of if, but WHEN Seattle gets an NHL team. I like the sound of that

Sports Hernia wrote:GIVE ME A NHL TEAM IN SEATTLE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nothing new, just had to have a little outburst....

Take it for what it's worth...... but Seth Everett (who was filling in for Softy) spoke to a NHL insider that said Seattle's odds were really really good if they submit a bid, and regardless of what happens next week, it's not a matter of if, but WHEN Seattle gets an NHL team. I like the sound of that

Sports Hernia wrote:GIVE ME A NHL TEAM IN SEATTLE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nothing new, just had to have a little outburst....

Take it for what it's worth...... but Seth Everett (who was filling in for Softy) spoke to a NHL insider that said Seattle's odds were really really good if they submit a bid, and regardless of what happens next week, it's not a matter of if, but WHEN Seattle gets an NHL team. I like the sound of that

Now I am hard

Long you live and high you fly, and smiles you’ll give and tears you’ll cry, and all you touch and all you see Is all your life will ever be

I honestly have to questin Hansen's intentions tbh. I understand he wants an NBA team, but the chances of that happening soon are much less than the NHL. The NHL WANTS to be in Seattle. I honestly don't trust nor like Hansen, something about him just rubs me wrong (appropriately speaking of course)

So same ole same ole, talk is cheap, Cities and Politicians all say how great it would be, then when the time comes to put up and back up your talk they all run to the hills and blame the voters or the councils or someone else.

Just makes my disdain for Shultz all the more justified, could have sold to Balmer, we would have the Sonics, the Arena and with this a Hockey team.

To Be P/C or Not P/C That is the Question..........Seahawks kick Ass !!!! Check your PM's, Thank you for everything Radish RIP My Friend. Member of the 38 club.

chris98251 wrote:So same ole same ole, talk is cheap, Cities and Politicians all say how great it would be, then when the time comes to put up and back up your talk they all run to the hills and blame the voters or the councils or someone else.

Just makes my disdain for Shultz all the more justified, could have sold to Balmer, we would have the Sonics, the Arena and with this a Hockey team.

I understand your frustration and feel it myself, and I completely understand the wait and see attitude.The difference is he NHL wants to be here bad vs the NBA that maybe wants to be here if their 100+ conditions are met.

The NHL will be coming to Seattle, it's just a matter of when. The NBA? who knows.

Exittium wrote:I honestly have to questin Hansen's intentions tbh. I understand he wants an NBA team, but the chances of that happening soon are much less than the NHL. The NHL WANTS to be in Seattle. I honestly don't trust nor like Hansen, something about him just rubs me wrong (appropriately speaking of course)

Put yourself in Hansen's position. The dude's already shelled out literally millions and millions of dollars to purchase real estate, pay for plans, the EIS, and who knows what else.............and he still doesn't have an NBA team, nor even a sniff of one right now.

So if an NHL owner group wants to bring hockey to Seattle, Hansen has to make sure THEY pay for all the changes, replanning and jumping through the political hoops, not him.

The land's been purchased and last week I read they were trying to get the EIS done ASAP to meet the deadline.

But from all the reports, it wasn't the site or anything to do with Tukwila that Bartoszek balked at, it was 100% the crazy 500 million franchise fee.

Last I read Bartoszek's net worth is only around 1 billion. I know ONLY 1 billion, but that's not a lot when you're solely responsible for purchasing the land, paying the 500 million franchise fee AND privately funding a new arena. Seems like all that would be well north of 1 Billion, the guy's entire net worth.

For a league seemingly always on the brink of financial hardship constantly crying about labor negotiations, low TV ratings and half it's franchises in the red, you'd think they'd be more accommodating and understanding of ownership groups like Bartoszek balking at not only an insane franchise fee............but a crazy short two week period in which to get an arena plan in place.

IMO the owners thought there would be at least 4-5 groups, if not more running for their wallets to pay them 500 million to divide up amongst themselves. So SB Nation is right, that statement right there is 100% butthurt on the leagues part.

I'm sure Bartoszek and the other serious ownership groups would like to know where the hell the league pulled 500 million from, when almost 2/3rd's of it's franchises are worth less than that. Established franchises, not new ones that are going to take a BEATING for 5-10 years trying to win with minor league players.

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Even though the NHL’s current expansion process only included applications from Las Vegas and Quebec City, the league has remained in contact with interested parties from Seattle.

“People continue to want to own a franchise in Seattle,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Tuesday. “But the issue there is there’s got to be an arena. Unless there’s an arena, there’s no prospect of a franchise.”

Some believe the NHL’s expansion process has slowed considerably in the last six months to wait and see if an arena does indeed materialize in the Pacific Northwest.

Please please please please

Long you live and high you fly, and smiles you’ll give and tears you’ll cry, and all you touch and all you see Is all your life will ever be